This former Hardee's location on Oakwood Road adjacent to Interstate 985 has been purchased by a company that plans to construct a new eatery on the site.

After a long absence in Oakwood, Hardee’s plans to reopen at the same location off Mundy Mill Road and Interstate 985 but in a new building.

Sheri Millwood, associate broker with Gainesville-based Wayne Clark Real Estate, said the building was sold Wednesday.

The new owner is Rosenfield Restaurants, which has opened locations in Winder, Lawrenceville, Fayetteville, Covington, Roswell and Byron over the past year.

“I’m excited in a lot of ways,” Millwood said. “That I sold the building, but I’m most excited Hardee’s is coming back to that location, for me as well as the community. That’s the first thing a lot of people see when then they’re coming in (to that part of Oakwood) and the last thing they see when they’re getting on the expressway.

“I think it’s going to be great to have a beautiful new (restaurant) there.”

She didn’t have many details about the project, other than the owners have decided to tear down the existing building and put up a new one 45 feet closer to Mundy Mill Road, which runs under I-985. The Hardee’s also sits off Oakwood Road.

Greg Craft, whose Atlanta firm, The Trilogy Group, also was involved in the sale, said plans call for the restaurant to be open by May 1.

Late Hall County businessman Frank Turk owned the property and built the original Hardee’s there in 1983. The building has sat vacant for several years and was recently put by Oakwood on a list of buildings it would like to see cleaned up or restored.

Millwood, who knew Turk and served with him on the Oakwood Planning Commission, admitted a sentimental attachment to the property.

“It’s more emotional than I thought it was going to be,” she said of the sale. “Frank would be so happy. He would be thrilled if he were here, knowing there’s a Hardee’s going back there.”